Start Here: The Seattle Ice Hawks Recommended Reading Path
If you are looking to dive into the steamy, high-stakes world of professional hockey romance, Kendall Ryan's Hot Jocks series is the perfect place to start. The series centers around the fictional Seattle Ice Hawks hockey team, following a tight-knit group of professional athletes who are as passionate off the ice as they are competitive on it. One of the series' most beloved quirks is the team's 'Male-Only Romance Book Club,' where these alpha players secretly read romance novels to figure out how to win over the women of their dreams.
While every single novel in the series is written as an interconnected standalone—meaning you can pick up any book and enjoy a complete, self-contained love story with a guaranteed happily-ever-after—we highly recommend reading the series in publication order. Reading in sequence allows you to enjoy the natural progression of the team's friendships, watch characters from previous books make frequent cameos, and fully appreciate the inside jokes and recurring dynamics of the Ice Hawks locker room.
The Hot Jocks Series in Reading Order
Here is the breakdown of the Hot Jocks series in the recommended reading order, detailing the couples, the primary tropes, and the story setups that define each installment.
1. Playing for Keeps (2019)
The series kicks off with the romance between star hockey player Justin and Elise Parrish. Elise is the younger sister of Justin's teammate and best friend, Owen. Justin has a reputation as the team's resident playboy, while Elise has harbored a secret crush on him for years. After a wild, celebratory night following a championship win leads to a passionate one-night stand, they try to pretend nothing happened. This book heavily features the classic best friend's little sister and forbidden romance tropes as they try to keep their relationship a secret from Owen.
2. All the Way (2019)
The second book shifts the spotlight to Owen (Elise's protective older brother) and Becca. This is a classic, slow-burn friends-to-lovers sports romance. Owen and Becca have a deep, established friendship, but when Becca needs a date for a family event, Owen steps up. The fake-dating setup quickly melts away, revealing years of buried attraction and forcing both characters to risk their friendship for a shot at true love.
3. Trying to Score (2019)
Book three follows Teddy and Sara in a story packed with fake dating and workplace tension. Sara is a smart, career-focused public relations specialist hired to manage Teddy's public image. Teddy is a charming hockey player who needs to clean up his reputation. To satisfy the media and professional demands, they agree to enter into a mutually beneficial fake relationship. The forced proximity and banter make this a fan-favorite, high-chemistry read.
4. Crossing the Line (2020)
This installment features Asher and Bailey, exploring the popular forced proximity and caretaker tropes. Asher is sidelined by a serious hockey injury, and Bailey is the nurse tasked with helping him recover. Living under the same roof during his rehabilitation, the grumpy, frustrated athlete and his determined, professional caretaker clash before ultimately giving in to an intense, slow-burning physical and emotional attraction.
5. Down and Dirty (2020)
Landon and Aubree star in this fast-paced romance featuring a quickie Vegas marriage and a reverse age gap where Aubree is slightly older. Landon is a talented rookie player for the Ice Hawks, and Aubree is a dedicated charity organizer. After an accidental, alcohol-fueled wedding in Las Vegas, they decide to try and make the marriage work in the real world rather than immediately getting an annulment, leading to sweet, domestic, and surprisingly emotional developments.
6. The Bedroom Experiment (2020)
Though occasionally categorized under different numbering by retailers, this extremely popular novella fits perfectly as Book 5.5 in the reading sequence. It features Morgan, a professional hockey player, and Isla, his stepsister. The two are not blood-related, as their parents married when they were already older. Isla decides she wants to gain some 'bedroom experience' before college and asks her experienced, stepbrother Morgan to help her practice. This low-drama, high-heat story focuses on their transition from distant family members to lovers.
7. Wild for You (2020)
Book seven follows Grant and Ana, using the roommates-to-lovers and grumpy-sunshine tropes. Ana is trying to rebuild her life after escaping a toxic past relationship. She moves into a shared apartment with Grant, a growly, stubborn hockey star who is rarely home due to his grueling travel schedule. Despite Grant's initial reluctance to get close, their forced proximity leads to a deep emotional connection and healing for both of them.
8. Taking His Shot (2020)
This novel centers on Jordie and Harper. Their relationship begins under unusual circumstances when Jordie, a confident Ice Hawks player, bid on Harper at a charity date auction. Harper is feisty, independent, and resistant to Jordie's playboy charms, setting up a fun enemies-to-lovers or reluctant attraction dynamic. As Jordie works to prove he is more than just a superficial athlete, a hidden secret threatens to derail their budding romance.
9. Breaking the Rules (2021)
This final novella serves as a heartwarming wrap-up for the series. Instead of introducing a brand-new couple, it returns to the series' fan-favorite pairing: Owen and Becca from All the Way. The story checks in on their marriage, their next steps as a couple, and their future family plans, all while giving readers one last look at the camaraderie and support of the Seattle Ice Hawks team.
Reading Caveats: Order Variations & Novellas
When searching for the Hot Jocks series online, readers often encounter minor inconsistencies in book numbering. Specifically, The Bedroom Experiment is sometimes sold as a standalone novella or listed as Book 9 due to publishing distribution timelines. However, chronologically and stylistically, reading it after Down and Dirty (as Book 5.5) offers the best flow, as the characters are active in the team's social circle at that point in the timeline. Similarly, Breaking the Rules is occasionally numbered as Book 7.5 or Book 8 depending on whether the publisher counts The Bedroom Experiment as part of the core numbered sequence. Regardless of the numbering, reading Breaking the Rules last provides the most satisfying conclusion to the overarching Seattle Ice Hawks timeline.
What to Know Before You Start
Kendall Ryan is known for writing fast-paced, high-heat contemporary romances with minimal angst and plenty of emotional payoff. The Hot Jocks series is perfect for readers who enjoy low-drama sports romances where the conflict is resolved through communication rather than unnecessary misunderstandings. The locker room banter and the running joke of the players' secret romance book club add a lighthearted comedy element that balances out the steamier scenes. If you enjoy authors like Elle Kennedy, Helena Hunting, or Sarina Bowen, this series will fit perfectly on your bookshelf.